Are You The Next Clapton?
Friday, May 5, 2006; Page WE61
"Guitar Hero" may be a bit expensive, but nothing short of becoming a roadie is going to get you closer to the rock star experience.
The game comes with a guitar controller that looks and feels like the real thing, only without strings. Instead, five buttons on the neck represent the frets. The controller also features a plastic "strum bar" and a whammy bar. To play a note or chord, you hold down one or several of the fret buttons and stroke the strum bar. It feels odd at first but soon becomes natural.
  Dream of being a rock star? "Guitar Hero" puts you in the spotlight. (Redoctane) |
The game is played a lot like popular dancing games, in which scrolling notes appear onscreen. When you see a note, you push the appropriate fret button and strum at the right time. If you do, your score goes up, the crowd watching your band cheers and you continue playing. Mess up too much, and they will boo you off the stage.
When you get a lot of notes right, the crowd can be whipped into a frenzy as you gather "star power." When you have enough star power, you hold the guitar straight up to activate your character's special moves, such as throwing the guitar in the air or playing behind your back. There are several characters to choose from, including a headbanger dude, an alternative rock girl and a reggae guy. Successfully finishing a gig means access to better venues, cash to spend on new guitars and unlocking more songs. You can even plug two controllers in and go head-to-head with a friend in an electric guitar duel.
The game comes with more than 45 songs, including Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water," ZZ Top's "Sharp Dressed Man," Joan Jett's "I Love Rock N' Roll," Boston's "More Than a Feeling," Eric Clapton's "Crossroads" and Black Sabbath's "Iron Man." Being able to jam along with them may just mean the permanent retirement of your trusty air guitar.
-- John Breeden II
Guitar Hero Teen, PS2 ($69.99) RedOctane
